Metroid-Database.com and the developers of these apps/patches WILL NOT assist in the acquiring of ROMs or Emulators.

Games & Patches

Metroid Super ZeroMission is an incredible redesign of Super Metroid, which gives it enhanced gameplay, Zero Mission-style graphics, and a completely new Zero Mission-inspired map for Samus to explore. Play one of the greatest hacks ever created by Japanese developer skirt_box who released it in April, 2011. UPDATE: The game's current release is version 2.3 released on 5/26/2012. You can download this above. The .zip also contains "Hard Edition" but beware: it is something only "Super Players" should attempt. The original Japanese webpage can be found here. If you're still unsure, feel free to read my review of the game! Stuck? Head on over to our Official Help Thread!

You'll need the Metroid Super ZeroMission patch, an IPS patch utility ,
a SNES emulator, and an unheadered Super Metroid ROM (the file is named "Super Metroid (JU) [!].smc"). View the official trailer below (but does not represent exactly what the final game is like).

Metroid Presented by the Metroid Database, or "MDbtroid" for short, is basically a graphical hack of the original NES game. The game has been improved upon in many different ways, including Samus's animation cycle, redrawn and enlarged bosses, a beautiful new opening title screen, new ending graphics, new Suitless Samus sprites, and all the enemies have been carefully redrawn. See the included .txt file for more details on what else has been changed.

For the full MDbtroid experience, we also recommend you play the game utilizing the Lua Script created by Neill Corlett (included with the zip) (FCEUX is required). This script allows you to play the game with a minimap and timer in the upper left corner, adds a map and an inventory screen when you pause, and gives you the ability to turn off your items at will! It also gives you full health and missiles after death. Playing Metroid has never been this much fun!

You'll need the MDbtroid patch, an IPS patch utility, a NES emulator, and the Metroid ROM. A Readme containing instructions for use is included in the zip file.

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!

A hacker named dACE has taken MDbtroid and two other Metroid hacks, 'ROIDZ by DemickXII, and Metroid+Saving by Snarfblam, combined all 3 to create the ultimate hack: Metroid mOTHER. Metroid mOTHER comes highly recommended, as it gives the original game a minimap, a 3-slot save feature, and gives the original game a much-needed facelift. You can get Metroid mOTHER right here.

Begrimed is one of the founders of MetroidConstruction.com, has been working on a Super Metroid hack called Project Base since 2009. Project Base is unlike most other hacks out there, as it does very little in terms of direct changes to the level design of Super Metroid - it's mostly focused on specific gameplay changes to make the experience of Super Metroid more enjoyable to modern audiences, or even those who might have grown tired of SM's nuances over the years. Here's a short list of some of the changes that have been made:

No more 7-second "Got Item" jingle when you acquire a new item.

All graphics/sprites have been given new colors/palettes.

All rooms have ben given new custom backgrounds.

Modified animation speeds for most things, including enemies and Samus.

Charge Beam has "vacuum effect" on pickups ala Metroid Prime.

Morph Ball only rolls while moving, and Bombs detonate quicker.

Sounds have been edited and changed.

Elevators, doors and room transitions move quicker.

Backflip move! While crouching, hold the run button, then press jump and hold left or right, depending which direction Samus is facing.

Instant Morph move! Hold the item cancel button and press down. Samus will morph into a ball instantly without needing to crouch or aim down first. Works on the ground or in the air. Quick morphing in the air can also be done by holding L and pressing down, for players who might find item cancel annoying to use.

Shinesparking can be done much quicker and easier.

Boost Ball can be achieved by holding run while in Morph Ball (after acquiring Speed Booster.)

You'll need the Project Base patch, an IPS patch utility, a SNES emulator, and a headerless Super Metroid ROM.*NOTE: You must use an UNHEADERED Super Metroid ROM. If your ROM has a header, you can download a tool that will remove the header from the ROM. Here is an example of one called SNEStuff.

Hot on the heels of Super Justin Bailey (see below) comes Justin Bailey II -- a patch for use with a Game Boy emulator to play Metroid II with an armorless Samus.
You'll need the Justin Bailey II patch, an IPS patch utility ,
a Game Boy emulator, and the Metroid II ROM. A Readme containing instructions for use is included in the zip file.

Metroid fan and talented artist Auximines has created this hack which restores the one feature that Super Metroid was missing: the ability to play as Samus without her armor! Download this patch and use it with a SNES emulator to experience
Super Metroid in the way you've always wanted to.
You'll need the Super Justin Bailey patch, an IPS patch utility, a Super NES emulator, and the Super Metroid ROM. A Readme containing instructions for use is included in the zip file.

Rage Games presents Metroid X, an incredible retooling of Metroid
created with MetEdit. Not just a simple hack, Metroid X is actually
a whole new game using the original Metroid engine and graphics!
Brilliant level design that will challenge even the most hardened
Metroid veteran, and lots of fun too!
You'll need the Metroid X patch, an IPS patch utility, an NES emulator, and the Metroid ROM. Instructions for use is included in the zip file.

Metroid Omega is basically a graphical update to the original Metroid which gives the game a more similar style to that of Super Metroid.
The Samus sprite has been given a complete overhaul, as well as the enemies (like Metroids and Mother Brain) and level tiles. The ending graphics have also been changed.
The only level of the game that has been edited is Brinstar, but it's still worth giving it a playthrough.
You'll need the Metroid Omega patch, an IPS patch utility, an NES emulator, and the Metroid ROM.

Now THIS is what I'm talking about! Quite possibly the best Metroid hack ever made! Metroid Genocide is a 100% brand-new game, with every single tile and graphic meticulously edited and restructured into something
completely different. The game is unrelenting in its difficulty - the designer even disabled the NARPASSWORD so you can't easily run through the game.
An absolute must-download for anyone looking for a new Metroid game to play.
You'll need the Metroid Genocide patch, an IPS patch utility, an NES emulator, and the Metroid ROM.

(Note: The graphics may seem messed up at the start, but it goes away after you die once and continue.)

That almighty hacker of Super Metroid, Kejardon, brings us the Control Freak hack. This patch allows you to play Super Metroid in a completely different way -- more similar to how the GBA Metroid games are played. This hack gives you the following new options:

Aim Lock - Defaults aiming to diagonally up, but use the D-Pad to aim down

By utilizing the Aim Lock, Samus can now run and shoot straight up!

Auto Run - Allows a player to "walk" when holding down a button (replaces Moonwalk)

Brandish Weapon - Press and hold down a button to instantly shoot missiles or power bombs

Have you ever wanted to be able to individually turn your items off in Metroid Zero Mission ala Super Metroid? Well, now you can! This patch restores a functionality that was still embedded into the game's code (debug mode). Just go to the item screen in the menu, select an item and push SELECT to turn it on or off.
You'll need the Menu Hack patch, an IPS patch utility, a GameBoy Advance emulator, and the Metroid Zero Mission ROM.

The graphics and AI code for Crocomire have been found in Metroid Zero Mission. And now, you can battle him! This small little hack is just for fun, nothing serious. It's still neat to see that our favorite Norfair miniboss almost made it into the game.
You'll need the Menu Hack patch, an IPS patch utility, a GameBoy Advance emulator, and the Metroid Zero Mission ROM.

Just released is this awesome patch that lets you gain access to Metroid Fusion's Debug mode! Debug Mode allows you to turn anything on/off in Samus's arsenal at your leisure, and more like giving yourself access to any Level of doors at any time. To access the mode, after you start a new game and go through the first (unskippable) cutscene, push Start to bring up your subscreen. Then press R to access the Debug Menu. A button selects and B deselects. Use the Dpad to adjust numbers and move the cursor. Try as many different combinations as you want. For example, selecting "SAMUS: 18" and pushing Start gives you a full arsenal, including 254 Power Bombs! Have fun!

The developer of Editroid, Snarfblam has released yet another hack for the seminal NES title. The hack is called "Metroid Plus," which takes the original game and adds to it a few small but extremely awesome features:

SAVING! Not only does it save your game, but it also depicts the status of your current progress by showing your inventory and all the items you have discovered throughout the game.

MINI MAP! Pushing Start will now make a map appear. The map can be scrolled all around with the Dpad. It will show you your current location, and where bosses and elevators can be found - it's up to you to discover the item locations.

WAVY-ICE BEAM! The game promotes beam-stacking. This makes it so when you collect the Ice Beam, it will not remove your Wave Beam power, and vice versa, but stack them together.

UPDATED GAME OVER SCREEN! There is also a new Game Over Screen which gives you the option to save your game.

Note: If you want to save your game without dying, just push Start (pause) and then UP+Start on Controller 2 (ala Zelda 1). Due to there not being any more passwords, if you want to access Suitless Samus, you must do it the "proper" way by beating the game in under 3 hours. NARPASSWORD is also unaccessible due to this (but that's for cheaters!).

Utilities & Mods

Editroid 3.0 is the latest update by Metroid hacker extraordinaire, snarfblam. Editroid is an amazing utility that allows you to hack the original Metroid into pretty much any way you want it! Feature-rich and user-friendly, making your own Metroid game has never been easier. New in version 3 are advanced Palette and Structure Editors, convenient Structure & Screen Browsers, Expand ROM function, and much more, making hacking Metroid easy to even the newest of users.
This utility is not only an amazing Metroid editor, but probably one of the best NES game editors ever made. Download it today!
NOTE: Editroid 3.0 is a beta release. There are also other builds available at Snarfblam's website.

3D modeler and animator Gilbert Arcand is a very long time creator of custom characters for a variety of multiplayer-oriented first person shooters including Quake and Unreal Tournament. Gilbert brings his awesomeness to the realm of Metroid by making this very sexy version of Samus Aran for Unreal Tournament III.
WARNING: DO NOT ASK US FOR HELP OR SUPPORT ON INSTALLATION.

SMILE stands for "Super Metroid Integrated Level Editor" and could be considered a "Super MetEdit," but you can do so much more than just edit tiles. Jathys has spent many years developing this application into a level editing juggernaut. It comes with a variety of different features that basically allows you transform Super Metroid
into an entirely new game! Advanced users of this editor have been able to create amazing new games like Super Metroid Redesign and Super Metroid Golden Dawn. A must-have for anyone
interested in creating their own version of Super Metroid. SMILE can be viewed in English, French, Finnish, and Latin.

M2Edit is a utility which, very much like MetEdit (see below) will allow one to edit the
map data in Metroid 2 for GameBoy. Presently an unfinished project, though it is indeed
functional. To be used with an emulator.

This is a program that I've been wanting ever since I started the
MDb back in 1996: A password generator for the original Metroid!
Choose your parameters such as weapons, location, and more,
and the program will give you a password that you can use on
NES Metroid which will put you right where you want to be with
the weapons you want to use. Another awesome piece of software
courtesy of SnowBro.

NOTE: This app has been supremely outdone by emuWorks' Generator below. We recommend using that one instead.

This is a relatively new Password Generator for the original Metroid. Advancing SnoBro's legendary app to new heights, this one has everything you need to make any password you want.
The app gives you plenty of customizable options including start location, missile count, and a specific game time. If there is one Metroid Password
Generator to rule over all others, this is the one! Mac OSX and Linux users aren't left in the dark, either -- the .zip contains the apps for all 3 platforms.

Tapper's Metroid Password Checksum Calculator is a utility that essentially lets
you edit the last two digits of the Metroid 1 passwords (the checksum) until the
password is valid. You can use this in conjunction with SnoBro's Metroid Password
Generator to determine what the password actually does.

Official Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Screen Animation Courtesy Nintendo circa 2004. A static, rendered image of Samus jumps around your screen, as her arm cannon raises up and shoots, and then lowers. This installer has been tested and is known to work in Windows 7.